UK Trade Commissioner Discusses Bilateral Trade Enhancements with Jam Kamal

In a significant meeting on Monday, UK Trade Commissioner Oliver Christian engaged with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan to explore strategies for enhancing bilateral trade between the United Kingdom and Pakistan. The discussions emphasized the importance of sectoral collaboration and a business-to-business matchmaking approach to identify growth opportunities in both nations.

Minister Jam Kamal highlighted Pakistan’s vast potential in the food sector, particularly through value addition. “By focusing on value addition, Pakistan can significantly increase its foreign exchange earnings,” he stated. He also underscored the government’s commitment to expanding trade, particularly under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who aims to double exports from US$30 billion to US$60 billion.

Kamal noted Pakistan’s successful organization of the FoodAg Expo in Karachi, which attracted over 800 foreign delegates, marking a historic international presence and opening doors to substantial business opportunities. He also pointed to the country’s growing exports in sectors such as IT, mining, horticulture, and dairy, while mentioning the potential for future exports, including olive products. “Pakistan is poised to become a significant olive exporter, with extensive cultivation in progress,” he added.

The UK Trade Commissioner recognized Pakistan’s potential and expressed full support for increasing trade volumes between the two countries. Both sides emphasized the upcoming establishment of the *UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue*, aimed at promoting trade and investment.

As the UK seeks to diversify its import sources following Brexit, the minister highlighted Pakistan’s capacity to become a key supplier of food products, given its adherence to international standards. This meeting marked a promising step toward strengthening UK-Pakistan trade relations, with both parties expressing optimism for future collaborations.